Book Reviews

* Review * SWEET THING by Kate Meader

July 13, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Sweet Thing by Kate Meader
Series: Chicago Players #1
Published by Kate Meader LLC on July 15, 2025
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My dad's teammate needs a nanny and I need a job. Sounds perfect, right? Except for my massive crush on him ... the one he knows all about.

Lars

I just found out I’m a dad.

My one-night stand dropped a baby bombshell in my local bar where I was celebrating my team’s win. Then she fled, leaving me holding my new daughter.

Thank God for Adeline. The daughter of my teammate and closest friend on the Chicago Rebels, she practically raised her little sister and knows exactly how to deal with this situation. I need a nanny; she needs a job. Problem sorted, right?

Not so fast …

Adeline

I think you’re the sexiest guy alive.

That’s what Lars Nyquist overheard me say while recounting my embarrassing crush on him. Yeah, that Lars Nyquist. Defenseman for the Chicago Rebels. Owner of the thickest thighs in the league. More than a decade my senior. Oh, and my dad’s teammate.

My only option? Leave the country, of course. Luckily, I’d already planned a round-the-world trip with my bestie and by the time I returned to Chicago a year later, I expected my blunder would be long forgotten. Shows what I know. Now I’m lying awake in the bedroom next to his while playing nanny to his surprise little girl. But I can ignore this stupid infatuation. I have to. Even though the sight of Lars learning to be a dad leaves me breathless and takes that crush to a whole other level.

One that has the potential to break my sorry little heart …

There’s nothing quite like seeing an old fan favorite in a different setting! Kate Meader stole many a reader’s heart when Theo Kershaw walked onto the pages of her previous hockey series. He’s fun, he’s over the top and he’s genuinely a good guy. This book kicks off a brand new Chicago Players spin-off series and Theo’s daughter Adeline is the heroine! We get to see how life played out for Theo, his wife Elle and their kiddos and even good ol’ Aurora! I loved every single minute of it!

Lars was befriended by Theo and brought into the family fold as his teammate and best friend. Now he’s making waves by becoming an instant dad … and having chemistry with Theo’s daughter, the temporary nanny. Uh oh!

Great character connections, lots of emotional turmoil and drama to sift through and so much steamy goodness! I highly recommend this book to hockey fans!

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* Review * SHADOW ON HER GRAVE by B.R. Spangler

July 13, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHADOW ON HER GRAVE by B.R. Spangler

Shadow on Her Grave by B.R. Spangler
Series: Detective Casey White #13
Published by Bookouture on July 18, 2025
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The beads of saltwater caught on her cracked lips glitter in the moonlight, her long brown hair floating in the tide. But this beautiful girl is lost forever. And Casey’s biggest fears are realised. Someone is copying the worst of her previous cases: following her like a shadow. And they’ll stop at nothing to make sure she pays for her own mistakes…

As her soon-to-be-husband, Jericho Flynn, goes back to work as town sheriff, Detective Casey White is left juggling her work alongside her growing family. And when a spate of troubling murders hit the Outer Banks, the happy couple are stopped in their tracks…

Casey is called to a crime scene with eerie echoes to a killing she solved years ago. A young woman has been anchored to a boulder and drowned, just like in the Saltwater Graves murders.

Then a handwritten poem is delivered to Casey at the station. She immediately recognises the writing as that of a previous victim she couldn’t save. The killer is pointing them to yet another crime scene from Casey’s past. Only someone with knowledge of the original cases could recreate these murders with terrible accuracy. And the only link is Casey herself.

The team chase the lead to a now-derelict beach house, way out on an abandoned island. Casey is totally devastated when they discover the lifeless body of Jericho’s late wife, Jessie Flynn, posed in one of the upstairs rooms.

This is her most personal challenge yet. As they chase down a killer that could be closer than they ever imagined, will Casey and Jericho both make it out alive?

Fast paced and chillingly addictive! Fans of Detective Casey White will be thrilled to be reconnecting with Casey and her sidekicks as danger comes knocking close to home when a new case stirs up memories of past cases one after another. This series is always wrought with tension and danger and is highly entertaining as we try to piece together who is doing what. I love Casey and Jericho and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Tracy/Hannah is getting on my nerves with the games she keeps playing with Casey, hopefully one day soon she will straighten up and appreciate what she has. This particular plot was exciting and emotional at the same time. I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone who enjoys a thriller with a great core group of investigators.

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* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn Vale

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn Vale

Enemies to Lovers by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Content Advisory #3
on July 8, 2025
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Baker Ritter knew how to pick them.

She met the man she thought she was going to marry in middle school, gave him some of the best years of her life, for him to leave her pregnant and alone hours before she’s due to have his baby.

To make matters worse, he brings his side chick to the birth, and she’s left with a decision—fight for what she wants, or cut her losses.

What she should’ve done was cut her losses. What she does instead is take him back and experiences what it’s like to live in hell.

When she’s at the lowest of the low, she calls her dad, an ex-con, who sends the one person he knows that can fix it all.
Copper Clayborne.

***

Copper Clayborne has no time for nonsense—that nonsense being a woman and a baby.

But that woman’s dad saved his life in prison and kept saving it until he was strong enough to save himself.

He owes everything to Baker’s dad, so of course he says yes when he asks to let Baker move in with him.

That doesn’t mean that he has to have anything to do with her.

He’s got a business to fix—then bring down in the most fantastic, public way possible.

He’s also got years of celibacy to make up for.

He doesn’t have time to fall for the woman and her kid.

He certainly doesn’t have the mental headspace to deal with her drama.

He gives it his all, but Baker wiggles into his cracked and bleeding heart, and makes herself right at home. Whether he wants her there or not.

Highly emotional and super satisfying! The third book in Lani Lynn Vale’s Content Advisory series is the Clayborne we’ve all been waiting for … Copper is re-establishing his life after prison and finds love when he least expects it … or wants it! Baker is a new mom, suffering a life of hell and just so happens to be the daughter of the man who continually kept Copper safe in prison. He might not be emotionally ready to have a weary woman thrust upon him, but there’s no way he can turn his back when his friend needs his help. Meant to be a temporary reprieve for a broken heart and body, his house turns into a home when Baker and her son Holt breathe life into it. Their story is filled with emotion, danger and intrigue as they fight their way towards forever with each other. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series!

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* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie Milburne

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie Milburne

Illicit Italian Nights by Melanie Milburne
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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She’s off-limits…
And the Italian is unraveling!

When her baby niece needs her, Addison Featherstone has no choice but to turn to Ludovic Jacobetti for help. Not only is he the infant’s godfather; his private jet can take them to Italy. There’s just one complication: playboy Vic has long been the object of innocent Addie’s deepest desires…

As his friend’s sister, Addie is entirely forbidden to Vic. Yet when they're alone in Lake Como, he’s forced to acknowledge she’s more alluring than he’s ever allowed himself to notice… And once the sun sets, their chemistry doesn’t simply become intoxicating—it’s irresistible!

Fast paced and addictive! I was quickly hooked on Addie and Vic’s love story. They were introduced by the marriage of their siblings to each other and then reunited when a travel snafu leaves their adorable toddler niece needing them to fill in quickly until her parents can make it home. Addie is shy and awkward but crushing on him, so when opportunity knocks she agrees to a fling … only close quarters allow her love to blossom and she must quickly end their interlude or risk embarrassing herself. I loved their connection with each other and how much they enjoyed their time with their niece. Their storyline moved quickly and in reality we didn’t get nearly enough time with them as a couple, but they were so intriguing that I simply loved them anyway.

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* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa Childs

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa Childs

The Cowboy's Baby Surprise by Lisa Childs
Series: Bachelor Cowboys #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 1, 2025
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A baby found in the barn means…

An instant cowboy dad!

When a baby is abandoned on the Four Corners Ranch, CPS investigator Elise Shaw drops everything to find the parents. She can’t understand why Liam Lemmon, the bachelor cowboy who found the child, first denies being her father, then claims her as his own! Elise visits the Wyoming ranch regularly to check up on them and soon starts to feel like part of the family. But her heart is getting too involved with the case…and with Liam. And when she learns the cowboy’s secret, will she be forced to take away the child they’ve both come to love?

Adorably sweet and filled with emotion! Lisa Childs is kicking off a brand new Bachelor Cowboys series with a bang as hunky Liam Lemmon finds himself falling hard for the baby he finds abandoned in the barn on his family ranch. When CPS investigator Elise Shaw steps into the picture she’s drawn to this mysterious cowboy who denied paternity but then stepped up and let this sweet baby girl wrap him around her finger. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed and easy to like. I was rooting for them to get together from the start and once the baby drama plays out, I’m thrilled with the outcome. Great story!

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* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie West

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

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* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie West

Queen by Royal Command by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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When duty to his kingdom…
meets desire for his enemy!

Newly crowned King Benedikt is on a mission to prove he’s nothing like his corrupt father—despite what Princess Annalena believes… Their rival aristocratic families have a long, bitter history, so when Annalena presents proof that the throne is rightfully hers, he counters—with a royal wedding demand!

Orphaned as a child, Annalena longs for love, not a marriage contract. But if becoming Benedikt’s queen is what it takes to ensure the country thrives, she’ll meet him at the altar. She won’t allow her attraction to the infuriating royal to derail her!

Attention grabbing and delightful right from the start! This modern day royal romance with a twist on an enemies to lovers trope is fast paced and quick to bring drama to the forefront. Each character is laid out well with their royal background before the fireworks Princess Annalena is bringing to the table is exposed. I liked each of them in their own right and once they came to an agreement to wed and finally let their steamy connection loose, they were quite an enthralling pair. I loved the twist on the throne quite a lot. Great characters, entertaining plot and a sexy yet sweet love story. Highly recommend!

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* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch

Montana Justice by Josie Jade, Janie Crouch
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on July 1, 2025
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She ran to save her life.
Now the man she once betrayed is her only hope.

Home to both the Resting Warrior Ranch and Pawsitive Connections, Garnet Bend, Montana is a small town full of big heroes. Anyone would want to live there.

Anybody but Piper Matthews.

She swore she’d never come back after what her father did to the town and what she did to Sheriff Lachlan Calloway. But desperation has a way of rewriting promises. With a baby in her arms and nowhere left to run, Piper returns to the only place that ever felt like home.

Lachlan never expected to see Piper again—especially not with a child that has his eyes. The woman who once disappeared without a word is now sleeping under his roof, guarding more secrets than she’s willing to share.

She says she’s done running. But Piper’s past is closing in fast—and it’s darker, more dangerous, and more tangled up in Lachlan’s world than he could ever imagine.

In a town built on quiet loyalty and buried lies, the truth is about to break everything wide open.

Drama filled and action packed! The next book in the Resting Warrior Ranch series centers around Sheriff Lachlan. There wasn’t a lot to be seen in any great degree of the Resting Warrior folks this time, but the story was enthralling enough all on it’s own to hold my attention. I liked Lachlan and Piper both and was rooting for them from the start, but she was a a bit of a hard pill to swallow once we learn the true depth of her secrets. There were several holes in the plot that would have made for a more fulfilling story had they been developed on (such as where was her mom? what was his background? what was program that is mentioned at the end of the story?), but overall I enjoyed them. Lots of suspense, danger and treachery to sink your teeth into.

I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone that enjoys former military/law enforcement guys that form a bond with each other and set out to keep their loved ones and the town they settled in safe.

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* Review * NEED by Chelle Bliss

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Need by Chelle Bliss
Series: Men of Inked Sinners #3
Published by Bliss Ink LLC on July 1, 2025
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Can a chance encounter with a bossy, tattooed hunk turn into a happily ever after?

Lulu Gallo doesn’t spend time daydreaming about romance, she's too busy becoming a self-made woman. But on the way to meeting with a new client, a pothole takes out her tire, sending her on a path she never saw coming.

Oliver has always been a loner. He prefers spending his days getting his hands dirty and helping strangers in need. But what started out as a normal call, has Oliver saving the life of a beautiful stranger and changing his destiny forever.

But when someone threatens Lulu and the ones she loves, Oliver will do anything to protect her even if it means giving up his freedom and their happily ever after.

I never get tired of the Gallo family! Chelle Bliss continues to delight her fans with their favorite family as each cousin/sibling finds their true love in emotional, dramatic ways that could only happen to the Gallos. I loved Lou and Oli and enjoyed their love story very much. I felt like this particular book fell a little short in the Gallo’ness though. I wanted more background, more family interaction, more relationship development. The characters were solid and grabbed my attention quickly and kept me entrenched in their story easily, but I wanted the depth of the fam that is usually there. I loved them regardless and can’t wait fore more to come in the series.

I highly recommend the entire series as well as the Gallos that came prior to anyone that enjoys a close knit family with lives filled with chaos and drama but who love hard when they find their forever.

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* Review * CRUEL SUMMER by Maisey Yates

June 12, 2025 Leave a Comment

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Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates
Published by Canary Street Press on June 24, 2025
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There are no rules this cruel summer
…

“I think we should see other people…” That one sentence unravels Samantha Parker’s perfect life. She has a loving husband, three wonderful kids and a comfortable suburban lifestyle. But on the brink of their long-awaited empty-nest chapter, Will asks Samantha for something she never dreamed of: an open marriage.

Desperate to keep her husband happy, Samantha proposes a summerlong separation with no contact. She knows she has to use the opportunity to find herself, but she also has no interest in being with anyone but Will. She’s confident when the season is over, they’ll get back together like this time never happened.

Then Sam gets an offer of adventure from an unlikely source: Logan Martin, a classic-car restorer who happens to be Will’s best friend, asks Sam to help him drive across the country to make deliveries. Logan and Sam have never had an easy relationship. He’s prickly, aloof and a little too handsome. And as they traverse the winding roads and breathtaking backdrops of North America, her changing connection with Logan challenges everything she believed she wanted in life, love and passion. When her summer with Logan is up, will she go home to the familiar stability of her past…or choose the thrilling uncertainty of her future?

Not your typical Maisey Yates novel, but I loved every minute of watching her spread her wings and deliver an angsty heartbreaker! I was instantly hooked when this devoted wife and mother was told by her husband that he wanted an open marriage … after the kids were already raised and the fun was supposed to begin! The story is centered around Samantha and her journey of acceptance and an eye opening summer. There is sadness, heartbreak and angst … but there is also beauty in figuring out self-worth, journeying for the tough answers of what happiness really means and a peace and happiness in the end. There is technically cheating, but during an agreed upon separation. I easily connected with Sam and enjoyed watching her learn things about herself and come into a life she could see flourishing as one chapter ends and another begins. Really enjoyed!

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* Review * MIC DROP by Arell Rivers

June 12, 2025 Leave a Comment

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Mic Drop by Arell Rivers
Series: Passionate Beats Trilogy #3
on June 26, 2025
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The Final Turn: Will “I Do” Twist into “Goodbye”?

Bennett Hardy, Battling for Forever

I can’t live without Jenna, no matter how hard I try to return to my old life. Driven by emotion that defies reason, I track her down, desperate to understand what went wrong. When I find her, she's a shadow of herself, her heart fractured by a discovery that left her in freefall. I won't let her face this alone. I'm here, offering not just love, but a sanctuary.

Yet it feels like the whole world is closing in, poised to spin us both out of control.

Jenna Westfield, Surrendering to Grief

Bennett is my anchor, the one who saw through my walls and made me believe in a love I never thought possible. But grief is a ravenous monster, devouring everything in its path. I'm pushing him away, testing the limits of his devotion, even as I crumble inside. Then, the past explodes, a twisted echo of old betrayals threatening to destroy the fragile peace we’ve built.

I'm trapped in a helix of despair, the final loop threatening to shatter us forever.

MIC DROP is the final book in the Passionate Beats trilogy. You’ll need to read both of the prior books in the trilogy first, and it ends with a much-deserved HEA. The story is told from Bennett and Jenna’s points of view. If you’re looking for a slow burn, found family rockstar romance filled with unexpected twists and turns, then get ready to defy gravity with Untamed Coaster!

Highly emotional and addictive! The conclusion to the Passionate Beats Trilogy brings more angst and turmoil to Jenna and Bennett while their love is tested. I’ve liked these characters from the first book so seeing their relationship play out through the hits that just keep coming is emotional. I wanted a bit more from them quite honestly. I wanted answers to the 007 hatred, I wanted to see them move forward in public in a connected way, I wanted more oomph for the ending. Overall, well developed characters, lost of angst and drama to sink your teeth into and heartfelt passion paved the way. I highly enjoyed their story overall.

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